KU Business Mentoring Program & KU Connect

Business Career Services offers a couple of ways to bring together students and professionals who share common professional interests. These connections enable business students to be better supported as they explore varied career opportunities and assist them as they navigate those early years of professional life.

Student information

KU School of Business students and alumni can expand their network in two ways by setting up profiles at mentoring.ku.edu and joining the online KU Mentoring community:

  • KU Business Mentoring Program: A guided, formal mentoring program focused on career development and facilitated by a program coordinator. Mentees must have at least six months remaining before graduation. Located under the “Mentorships” tab.
  • KU Connect: An online platform in which students and alumni can meet for a one-time connection (usually an email or phone call) to discuss specific career and/or industry topics. Open to all students of all levels. Located under the “KU Connect” tab.

Mentoring benefits for students

A good mentor can provide insight, help you grow and help you identify pathways to success.

  • Search for experienced mentors working in your field of interest. 
  • Set meetings and track objectives in a structured mentor relationship.
  • Gain insights from an accomplished professional to help you achieve your professional goals.

Overall, an effective mentorship can provide career assistance to mentees by enhancing a sense of professional competence and career identity. By acting as a resource for students to ask questions regarding career paths and industry information, mentors can help provide students with the confidence and knowledge to make informed professional decisions.

Questions about the KU Business Mentoring Program or KU Connect can be directed to Kim Mueller, career advisor senior, at kmueller88@ku.edu.

Prospective mentors

The KU Business Mentoring Program provides a forum for mentors to share their knowledge and life experiences with KU business students. Serving as a mentor is a wonderful way for School of Business alumni and friends to give back and engage with the school.

Responsibilities

As a mentor, you can inspire and facilitate career and personal achievements. The developmental transitions students face are enriched by your experience, wisdom and guidance. Responsibilities of a mentor can include:

  • Providing career direction and insight to students
  • Acting as a professional resource to students
  • Facilitating networking by introducing your mentee to professional contacts
  • Sharing knowledge and experiences
  • Serving as a coach and advocate for the mentee
  • Being a positive role model

The challenge and fun of mentoring is developing your own personal style for sharing the special strengths and skills you have to offer.

Time commitment and communication expectations:

Involvement can range from quick discussions over email to an in-person visit to the mentor’s company or organization. Business Career Services encourages mentors and mentees to develop a communication and engagement strategy that best fits the relationship.

We expect students and mentors will be in touch at least every six weeks via email, phone, Skype, Google Hangouts or meeting in person. Mentoring pairs are formally matched in our system for six months. We hope that mentoring relationships will last throughout a student’s college career, but we also realize students’ career goals can change over time and, therefore, the relationship can cease when both parties feel the time is right.

Eligibility

This program is open to all University of Kansas alumni, as well as other professionals looking for an opportunity to connect with KU business students. We accept mentors from all levels of career, no matter the levels or years of experience. Our program includes mentors from across the nation and the world. Mentoring over email, phone, video chat, text message or social media is common and welcomed.

Getting started

Professionals who are interested in becoming mentors should fill out a profile at mentoring.ku.edu. Once your profile is approved, you’ll be sent an automated email with information about next steps.

Student information

KU School of Business students and alumni can expand their network in two ways by setting up profiles at mentoring.ku.edu and joining the online KU Mentoring community:

  • KU Business Mentoring Program: A guided, formal mentoring program focused on career development and facilitated by a program coordinator. Mentees must have at least six months remaining before graduation. Located under the “Mentorships” tab.
  • KU Connect: An online platform in which students and alumni can meet for a one-time connection (usually an email or phone call) to discuss specific career and/or industry topics. Open to all students of all levels. Located under the “KU Connect” tab.

Mentoring benefits for students

A good mentor can provide insight, help you grow and help you identify pathways to success.

  • Search for experienced mentors working in your field of interest. 
  • Set meetings and track objectives in a structured mentor relationship.
  • Gain insights from an accomplished professional to help you achieve your professional goals.

Overall, an effective mentorship can provide career assistance to mentees by enhancing a sense of professional competence and career identity. By acting as a resource for students to ask questions regarding career paths and industry information, mentors can help provide students with the confidence and knowledge to make informed professional decisions.

Questions about the KU Business Mentoring Program or KU Connect can be directed to Kim Mueller, career advisor senior, at kmueller88@ku.edu.

Prospective mentors

The KU Business Mentoring Program provides a forum for mentors to share their knowledge and life experiences with KU business students. Serving as a mentor is a wonderful way for School of Business alumni and friends to give back and engage with the school.

Responsibilities

As a mentor, you can inspire and facilitate career and personal achievements. The developmental transitions students face are enriched by your experience, wisdom and guidance. Responsibilities of a mentor can include:

  • Providing career direction and insight to students
  • Acting as a professional resource to students
  • Facilitating networking by introducing your mentee to professional contacts
  • Sharing knowledge and experiences
  • Serving as a coach and advocate for the mentee
  • Being a positive role model

The challenge and fun of mentoring is developing your own personal style for sharing the special strengths and skills you have to offer.

Time commitment and communication expectations:

Involvement can range from quick discussions over email to an in-person visit to the mentor’s company or organization. Business Career Services encourages mentors and mentees to develop a communication and engagement strategy that best fits the relationship.

We expect students and mentors will be in touch at least every six weeks via email, phone, Skype, Google Hangouts or meeting in person. Mentoring pairs are formally matched in our system for six months. We hope that mentoring relationships will last throughout a student’s college career, but we also realize students’ career goals can change over time and, therefore, the relationship can cease when both parties feel the time is right.

Eligibility

This program is open to all University of Kansas alumni, as well as other professionals looking for an opportunity to connect with KU business students. We accept mentors from all levels of career, no matter the levels or years of experience. Our program includes mentors from across the nation and the world. Mentoring over email, phone, video chat, text message or social media is common and welcomed.

Getting started

Professionals who are interested in becoming mentors should fill out a profile at mentoring.ku.edu. Once your profile is approved, you’ll be sent an automated email with information about next steps.